The Mid-Prairie Transportation Department is urging the community to stop for school buses as they pick up and/or drop off kids.  

Iowa law prohibits motorists from passing school buses when they have their flashing lights on or their stop arms extended. These signals indicate that students are entering or exiting the bus, and could be crossing the street to do so. According to Mid-Prairie Transportation Director, Teresa Hartley, the District has had over 10 stop arm violations in the last two and a half weeks. 

First offense for violating this law is a simple misdemeanor and carries a fine between $345-$930. First offense also means a 30-day driving suspension. Second offense bumps up to a serious misdemeanor, includes a fine between $430-$2,560, and imposes a 90-day suspension. Any subsequent violation will lead to a suspension of 180 days in addition to fines. A court may also order imprisonment depending on the nature of the offense. 

Drivers are asked to stay out of a school bus “danger zone” when they are stopped, which is ten feet in front of, behind, and on either side of the bus. Assume all school buses have children inside, and as a general rule, use extra caution around buses, whether lights are flashing or not.